FLU NEWS SCAN: H5N1 in Cambodia, mutant H5N1 study in ferrets, flu in seals

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Influenza, General

Nov 7, 2011

H5N1 hits Cambodian poultry farm
Cambodia's agriculture ministry today reported that the H5N1 avian influenza virus struck a broiler farm in Battambang province, located in the northwestern part of the country, according a report to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The event began on Nov 3, killing 1,050 of 5,206 susceptible birds. Provincial and central authorities culled the remaining 4,156 poultry to control the spread of the virus. The National Veterinary Research Institute conducted an investigation but did not determine the source of the outbreak. Cambodia reported its last H5N1 outbreak in September.
Nov 7 OIE report

Study finds series of complex steps needed for airborne H5N1 spread in ferrets
A series of complex changes allowed the H5N1 avian flu virus to become transmissible via airborne droplets in ferrets, US researchers reported in Virology. Working on the assumption that acquisition of alpha-2-6 sialoside receptor specificity by alpha-2-3–specific H5N1 is a prerequisite for efficient transmission in humans, they identified four variant viruses that had modestly increased alpha-2-6 and minimally decreased alpha-2-3 binding. They then created a mutant virus combining one of these variants (Q196R) with mutations from previous pandemic viruses (Q226L and G228S) that had predominantly alpha-2-6 binding. This novel virus was transmitted between ferrets, which are seen as good models of flu transmission in humans. Spread, however, occurred by direct contact, not by airborne droplets. The team then created a reassortant virus containing the mutant hemagglutinin, a human N2 neuraminidase, and internal genes from an H5N1 virus, and observed that it was "partially transmitted via respiratory droplets." The researchers conclude, "The complex changes required for airborne transmissibility in ferrets suggest that extensive evolution is needed for H5N1 transmissibility in humans."
Nov 5 Virology abstract

Influenza A investigated in New England seal deaths
Animal health officials in New England are exploring the role influenza A may have played in a large number of seal deaths reported along the region's coast since September, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in a Nov 4 statement. Preliminary pathology, toxin, and virology tests on five seals found that that all tested positive for influenza A. NOAA cautioned that the results only apply to those five seals, and more tests are under way to determine what led to the deaths of 146 seals. The die-off has been declared an "unusual mortality event," which allows NOAA to devote more resources to determining the cause of death. Dr Teri Rowles, from NOAA's fisheries services, in the statement warned people to avoid exposing themselves and their pets to the seals as authorities gauge if there are any potential risks to human health.
Nov 4 NOAA press release

This week's top reads

  1. FDA significantly limits COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

    Critics said today’s announcement is more evidence of the current administration’s willingness to undermine public trust in vaccines.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    FDA building

  2. USDA suspends southern border livestock imports over New World screwworm threat

    As cattle detections track northward, Mexico recently reported its first human case.

    Lisa Schnirring
    screwworm larva

  3. Meta-analysis: Zika-infected pregnant moms 4 times more likely to have babies with microcephaly

    Five of 22 studies noted that over 50% of newborns had microcephaly, and the same number of studies observed that over 5% had congenital Zika syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom

  4. Woman dies of Creutzfeldt-Jakob almost 50 years after taking prion-contaminated growth hormone

    The patient, who presented with gait imbalance and tremors, wasn't diagnosed until she was in a coma, shortly before she died.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Woman in hospital bed

  5. HHS expected to discontinue COVID vaccine recommendations for some groups

    When CDC advisers widened their recommendation in 2023, most members were swayed by data, including those for long COVID, showing that no group is at low risk for the virus.

    Lisa Schnirring

  6. Data suggest COVID-19 reinfections less likely to cause long COVID

    The risk of long COVID was two to three times higher after the initial infection (14.8%) than after first (5.8%) or second (5.3%) reinfections.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    LONG COID

  7. WHO advisers say current strains OK for COVID vaccine production

    Current vaccine strains show high neutralization against the latest variants, but the LP.8.1 antigen may provide similar or moderately higher cross-reactive antibody response.

    Lisa Schnirring
    senior vaccination

  8. Texas announces more measles cases, including first in Dallas area

    Two cases near the Dallas area are now included in the large outbreak, which now totals 717 cases.

    Lisa Schnirring

  9. US measles outbreak grows to 1,024 cases

    Texas remains the country's hot spot, with 718 cases. 

    Chris Dall
    Doctor treating child with measles

  10. Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster

    Since 2023, the country has ramped up MERS-CoV testing as part of sentinel surveillance.

    Lisa Schnirring
    hospital isolation

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